Automatic electric starter



April 30, 1946.

J. s. KAUFFMAN AUTOMATIC ELECTR I C STARTER Filed Dec. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jess e 6'- Aaaffm an ATTORNEYS April 30, 1946. j s, KAUFFMAN 2,399,230

v AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC STARTER Filed Dec. 21, 1,931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jesse 6T lfauffmdw BY S/MQM WMSMM E 71/:

HA ATTORNEYS hunted A r. 30, 1 94s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f I 2.3) I

Amen December :1, m1. Serial in. mass 22 Claims. (01. lea-m) The invention relates to motor vehicle engine starters of that type in which the accidental stalling of the engine will automatically energize the starter. It is the object of the invention to effect this automatic action by a simple construction of controlling and actuating means and to this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the invention, with certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of the invention.

My improvement is applicable to electric starters of any type in which the starter is energized by the closing of a switch and is mechanically disconnected from the engine after the starting of the latter. Such a construction is diagrammatically represented in the drawings in which A is the starting motor, B the motor shaft, C a

pinion on the shaft axially movable into and out of mesh with a gear wheel on the engine (not shown). The means for moving the pinion to automatically disengage the same from the gear wheel when the engine is starting may be of any suitable construction and therefore is not illustrated.

Mounted adjacent to the motor and movable pinion is a cylinder D which is connected by a conduit E to the inlet manifold of the engine. Within this cylinder is a piston F and a spring G for actuating said piston in an outward direction. H is a piston rod extending outward through the head I of the cylinder and into a casing for enclosing the starting switch. This starting switch comprises a pair of contacts J and J and a bridge contact K, the latter being mounted upon the piston rod H to be actuated thereby into or out of engagement with the contacts N. L is a lever, one end of which is slotted to engage the piston rod H while the other end extends into engagement with a grooved collar M connected with the pinion C. Sleeved upon the piston rod and upon opposite sides of the lever L are cushion springs N and N the arrangement being such that when the piston F is moved outward the spring N will yieldably actuate the lever L in a direction to move the pinion C through the medium of the grooved collar M into mesh with the gear wheel on the engine. On the other handwhen the piston F moves in the opposite direction the spring N will yieldably actuate the lever L to withdraw the pinion C from mesh with the gear wheel of the engine. With the parts as thus far described, it will erating contacts JJ', thereby opening the motor switch and de-energizing the motor. The parts will remain in this position as long as the engine continues to run but if for any reason the engine should stall, this will cause the operation of the starter as follows: First, the stalling of the engine will restore atmospheric pressure in the inlet manifold and in the cylinder D. The spring G will then cause an outward movement of the piston F which through the medium of the spring N actuates the lever L and grooved collar M moving the pinion 0 into mesh with the gear wheel on the engine! A further movement of the piston F and piston rod H will carry the bridge contact K into connection with the contacts J and J thereby closing the motor circuit and energizing the motor. Consequently the engine will be automatically restarted.

To prevent this automatic restarting of the engine when the driver desires to stop the same, I have provided a control device as follows: 0 is a rock arm connected with the accelerator which when the latter is not in use, assumes the position. shown in full lines of the drawings. This rock arm is connected as by means of the pins P and P with the piston rod H so that in the position shown it holds the piston from movement in a direction to throw the pinion C into mesh with the gear wheel and to close the starting switch. If, however, the accelerator pedal is depressed the rock arm 0 will assume a position such as shown indotted lines which will permit the further movement of the piston rod H to mesh the pinion C with the gear wheel and to close the switch. It will thus be obvious that if the driver of the vehicle desires to stop his engine he will remove his foot from the accelerator pedal which in assuming its normal position will lock the starter from automatic restarting.

It is customary in most motor vehicles to provide a hand operated throttle control which is interconnected with the accelerator pedal so that when advanced it wil hold the pedal from returning to normal posi on. Thus when the hand throttle is thus advanced it would prevent the locking of the automatic restarting mechanism. I have, however, arranged the connections intermediate the rock arm and the accelerator pedal so that in an extreme open position of the throttle the restarting mechanism will also be locked. This construction is as follows: Q is a rod for connecting the rock arm 0 with a bell crank lever B. which lever is connected to a rod 8 leading to the accelerator pedal '1'. When the accelerator is not in operation it will stand in the position shown in full lines at R and the rock arm 0 will be in the position in full lines where it looks the starter from operation. Again, it the accelerator pedal through the operation of the hand control (not shown) is held in extreme position the bell crank lever R. will be in the position indicated at dotted lines at R. which also would permit the rock arm 0 to remain in the position shown in full lines locking the starter from operation. In positions intermediate these two extremes such as R the rock arm 0 will be in a position such as indicated in dotted lines where the pinion C will be thrown into mesh with the gear and the switch will close the circuit causing the operation of the starter. Thus the automatic starting of the engine will occur after the stalling oi the same either where the operator has his foot on the accelerator pedal or where the hand control is in such intermediate position.

It is a fact well known to motorists that when the engine stalls it is diillcult to start the same without operating the accelerator to open the throttle. This can not be effected by the accelerator pedal for the operator must remove his foot therefrom to actuate the starting pedal and it therefore becomes necessary to actuate the hand accelerator or throttle control. With my improved construction it is not necessary to do this, for the driver need not remove his foot from the accelerator pedal unless he desires the engine to remain inoperative.

with certain types of starters it is notnecessary to manually operate the gears to throw them into mesh, this being automatically accomplished by the mechanism and it being only necessary to close the starting switch. My improvement is applicable to this type oi! starter also and when used thereon it is only necessary to omit the lever L. The operation will otherwise be the same.

A device constructed in accordance with the preceding paragraph is shown in Fig. 2 and this device is just like what appears in Fig. 1 but for the fact that the springs N and N, the lever L, the pinion C and mechanism associated therewith which is moved by the lever L, have been omitted because in the type of starter in which the pinion is automatically meshed by action of the motor, this pinion shifting mechanism is not necessary. Instead of employing the pinion C and means for shifting such pinion which is shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 discloses amotor shaft B which is threaded as indicated at U and mounted on the threaded portion of the shaft is a asoaaso portion of the shaft and in this way disengaged from the engine flywheel gear. In other words, Fig. 2 discloses diagrammatically the well known Bendix type of starter drive which has been manufactured for many years, one example of which is shown in the McGrath patent, No.

The means for eflecting closing or the switch in Fig. 2 and for holding the switch open when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, is exactly the same as that illustrated in Fig. 1, so that such mechanism need not be described further.

While I have described my invention as having the cylinder D connected to the inlet manifold, it is obvious that it could be operated just as well by connection with any vacuum producing means which is operated during the running of pinion V which, upon closing of the motor switch,

is automatically moved to the right to engage the flywheel gear W of the engine, in which position it is moved against a fixed abutment X at the end of the motor shaft B. Upon starting of the engine the pinion V is rotated by the engine at a speed faster than the speed of rotation of the motor shaft, so that the pinion is automatically moved to the left on the threaded the engine. For example, where an engine is equipped with a vacuum pump the cylinder D could be connected with this pump and would operate in the same manner.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a starter mechanism of the character described. an engine having a driven gear wheel, an accelerator control therefor, a motor having an armature shaft, a switch for controlling said motor, a movable pinion mounted on said armature shaft, means operating upon actuation of the accelerator control to a predetermined position to automatically move said pinion into mesh with said driven gear wheel and to close said switch to start said motor, and pressure operated means for opening said switch and severing said pinion from said driven gear wheel when the engine is running.

2. In a starter mechanism of the character described, an engine having a driven gear wheel, an accelerator control therefor, a motor having an armature shaft, a controlling switch for said motor, a movable pinion. mounted on said armature shaft of said motor, means operating upon actuation of the accelerator control to automatically move said pinion into mesh with said driven gear wheel and to close said controlling switch to start said motor, and means operable upon running of the engine to render said last mentioned means inoperative for opening said switch and for severing said pinion from said driven gear wheel.

3. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quanity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; 3. current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a. circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operated by the mixture controlling means for rendering the last named means ineffective so that said resilient means is permitted to close said switch to cause the starting motor to become operative, and means also operated by the mixture controlling means, when moved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of mixture to the engine, to positively prevent closing of the switch by said resilient means.

4. In a starting apparatus for internal com bustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a

asoaaao i 3 circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operated by the mixture controlling means for rendering the last named means ineflective so that said resilient means is permitted to close said switch to cause the starting motor to become operative, means also operated by the mixture controlling means, when moved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of mixture to the engine, to positively prevent closing of the switch by said resilient means, and means operable by the engine for maintaining the switch in open condition during normal operation or the engine.

5. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; 9. current source, a starting motor, operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operated by the mixture controlling means for rendering the last named means ineifective so that said resilient means is permitted to close said switch to cause the starting motor to become operative, means also operated by the mixture controlling means when moved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of mixture to the engine, to positively prevent closing of the switch by said resilient means, and means operated by engine suction for maintaining the switch open during normal engine operation.

6. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity or combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch. means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the'engine is inoperative, means opsaid resilient means is permitted to close said switch to cause the starting motor to become operative, means operable by the engine when it becomes self-operative to open said switch. and means operable by the mixture controlling means to positively prevent any closing of saidv switch under certain engine operating conditions when the engine is ineffective to hold said switch open.

7. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion en ines having an induction passa e and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; 9. current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source. a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch. means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operated by the mixture controlling means for rendering the last named means ineffective so that said resilient means is permitted to close said switch to cause the starting motor to become operative, means operable by engine suction when the engine becomes self-operative to open the switch, and means operated by the mixture controlling means, when moved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of mixture to the engine and the engine suction becomes ineifective to hold said switch open, to prevent closing of said switch.

8. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with they current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a member operable by the mixture controlling means and normally held in a position when the engine is inoperative to maintain the switch open, said member being so constructed that as the mixture controlling means is moved to increase the quantity of mixture supplied to the engine, said member is moved to a position to permit the closing of the switch and then as the mixture controlling means is moved toward a position to supply a maximum quantity of mixture to the engine said member is moved to a position to prevent closing of the switch.

9. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity oi combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; 8. current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the;starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a member operableby the mixture controlling means and normally held in a position when the engine is inoperative to maintain the switch open, said member being so constructed that as the mixture controlling means is moved to increase the quantity of mixture supplied to the engine, said member is moved to a position to permit the closing of the switch and then as the mixture controlling means is moved toward a position to supply a maximum quantity of mixture to the engine said member is moved to a position to positively hold the switch open. I

10. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a, starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a. switch for controlling said circuit, resisilient mean for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch. said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving said member to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when thev engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means to render said last named means ineffective so as to permit movement of said member to close the switch and means for communicating the engine suction to said memher so that when the engine begins to operate under its own power said member is moved to a position to open the switch andcause the starting motor to become inoperative.

11. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said Source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch, said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving saidmember to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means to render said last named means inetl'ective so as to permit movement of said member to close the switch, means for communicating the engine suction to said member so that when the engine begins to operate under. its

own power, said member is moved to a position to open the switch and cause the starting motor to become inoperative, and means for positively holding said switch open under engine operating conditions which cause the suction to fall so that it is ineffective to maintain the switch in open condition.

l2. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor, operable by current from said source. a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch, said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving said member to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means to render said last named means inefiective so as to permit movement of said member to close the switch, means for communicating the engine suction to said member so that when the engine begins to operate under its own power, said member is moved to a position to open the switch and cause the starting motor to become inoperative, and means also operated by the mixture controlling means for positively holding said switch open under such engine operations as cause the engine suction to be reduced so that it is ineffective to maintain the switch in open condition,

13. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch, said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving said member to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means during the first part oi! its movement to increase the quantity oi mixture supplied to the engine to render the last named means ineffective so as to permit movement oi said member to close the switch, means whereby engine suction effects movement of said memher to open the switch when the eng ne becomes self-operative, and means whereby the mixture controlling means is effective, during the last part or its movement to increase the mixture supply, to positively hold the switch open so that the starting motor cannot be energized when the engine suction is so reduced that it is ineflective to maintain the switch in open condition.

14. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch, said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving said member to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means to render said last named means ineifective so as to permit movement of said member to close the switch, means for communicating the engine suction to said member so that when the engine begins to operate under its own power, said member is moved to a position to open the switch and cause the starting motor to become inoperative, and means operative, under certain engine operating conditions, which cause such a reduction in engine suction that it is ineilective to hold said member against the force of said resilient means, to positively prevent movement of said member in a direction to effect closing of the switch and energization of the starting motor.

15. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a fluid pressure motor for controlling said switch, said motor including a member movable in one direction for closing said switch and in the opposite direction for opening said switch, resilient means for moving said member to close said switch, means preventing the movement of said member by the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, means operable by the mixture controlling means to render said last named means ineflective so as to permit movement of said member to close the switch, means for communicating the engine suction to said member so that when the engine begins to operate under its own power, said member is moved to a position to open the switch and cause the starting motor to become inoperative, and means operated by the mixture controlling means when it is moved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of mixture to the engine to positively prevent movement of said member in a direction to effect closing or the switch, so as to prevent energization of the starting motor when the ei-L fect of engine suction on said member becomes insufficient to hold the switch open against the force of said resilient means acting on said member.

16. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and supply to the engine, to render said last named means ineffective so that the starting motor switch will be closed, and means whereby the mixture controlling means is effective during the latter part of its movementto increase the mixture supply to positively prevent closing of the switch.

1'7. In a starting apparatus for internal com bustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a

circuit for connecting the starting motor withthe. current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch, a member operable in response to movement of the mixture controlling means and normally holding said switch open, and means Whereby said member is enabled to move to a position to permit closing of the switch during the first part of the movement of the mixture controlling means to increase the mixture supply and said member is moved to a position to hold the switch open during the last part of such movement of the mixture controlling means.

18. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, a member responsive to movements of the mixture controlling means and to engine suction for opening and closing the starter switch, means operated by the mixture controlling means, during the first part of its movement to increase the mixture supply, to permit movement of said member to close the switch, means operable by engine suction to move said member to open the switch.

when the engine becomes self-operative and-to hold the switch open when the engine suction is suflicient, and means whereby the mixture controlling means is effective to hold said member in position to maintain the switch open during the last part of the movement'oi' the mixture controlling means to increase the mixture supply. so asto prevent closing of the switch when the suction is so reduced as to be inefl'ectiveto hold the switch open.

19. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, a spring motor, for closing said control switch, means normally preventing the closing of said switch by the spring motor, means for rendering said last named means ineffective when desired 50 as to bring aboutclosing of said switch,

and means operable by engine suction when the engine becomes self -operative to open said switch.

20. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines havin an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, a spring motor for closing said control switch, means normally preventing the closing of said switch by the spring motor, means operable by the mixture controlling means for rendering said last named means ineffective when desired so as to bring about closing of said switch, and means operable by engine suction when the engine becomes self-operative to open said switch.

21. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said in duction passage; a current source, a starting mo- I tor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, a spring motor for closing said control switch, means normally preventing the closing of said switch by ,the spring motor, means for rendering said last named means inefiective when desired so as to bring about closing of said switch, means operable by engine suction when the engine becomes self-operative to open said switch and other means to hold said switch open during self-operation oi the engine when the engine suction becomes insufllcient to maintain the switch in open condition.

22. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines having an induction passage and means for controlling the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to said engine through said induction passage; a current source, a starting mo tor operable by current from said source, a circuit for connecting the starting motor with the current source and a switch for controlling said circuit, resilient means for closing said switch. means for preventing operation of the resilient means when the engine is inoperative, operating mechanism between said last named means and the mixture controlling means, said operating mechanism including a pivoted lever so constructed and arranged that during the first part of the movement of the mixture controlling means to increase the supply of fuel mixture, the-lever is moved to a position to render the means which normally prevents operation of the resilient means ineffectivabut during the latter part of said movement 01 the mixture controlling means, the means which normally prevent operation of the resilient means is moved back to its original position so that the resilient means cannot operate to close the switch when the mixture controlling means reaches a position to supply a relatively great quantity of mixture to the engine.

JESSE S. KAUFF'MAN; 

